Project Shape

My Role: Project Manager

As the project manager, I oversaw a cross-functional team of eight graduate students in the HXDI program. My responsibilities included:

• Identifying each team member’s strengths and motivations.

• Setting up roles and responsibilities.

• Aligning project milestones with our overarching goal of reducing pollution in Long Beach.

  
  

Team Setup & Responsibilities

1. Researchers

• Planned and conducted discovery research.

• Gathered user insights related to local pollution issues.

2. Designers

• Developed visual materials and prototypes.

• Created branding elements for the events.

3. Engineers

• Handled technical aspects and logistical needs for on-site events.

• Assisted with data collection and analysis.

4. Community Outreach

• Established local partnerships and recruited event volunteers.

• Coordinated with Pando to maximize community impact.

Planning & Methodology

We adopted the Double Diamond framework to guide our design process:

1. Discover – Researchers kicked off the project by identifying key issues and opportunities in the community.

2. Define – Used affinity mapping to synthesize research findings and agree on a clear problem statement.

3. Develop – Designers, engineers, and outreach teams brainstormed solutions and created event plans.

4. Deliver – Hosted two cleanup events, refined our approach, and compiled final outcomes.

Timeline: I initially allocated equal time to each phase, then iterated the schedule based on each group’s specific needs and presentations.

Tools & Communication

• Kanban Board (Task Management): Tracked tasks, deadlines, and progress.

• Discord (Daily Standups & Communication):

• Held daily standups to identify blockers and give status updates.

• Hosted weekly meetings to review goals and celebrate milestones.

• Figma (Design Collaboration): Allowed real-time feedback on visual assets.

• Google Drive (Research & Documentation): Central hub for surveys, reports, and shared documentation.

  
  

Managing the Team

Daily Standups: Ensured transparency about progress and obstacles.

Weekly Meetings: Shifted focus to the bigger picture, reinforcing personal motivations and project goals.

One-on-One Check-Ins: Addressed individual challenges, aligned tasks with strengths, and kept morale high.

As project demands grew, I prioritized each person’s well-being by:

• Keeping the project vision front and center.

• Minimizing unnecessary meetings to respect everyone’s time.

• Maintaining open lines of communication for feedback and support.

  
  

Key Lessons Learned

1. Maintain the Bigger Picture: Regularly connect day-to-day tasks with the overarching mission to keep the team motivated.

2. Focus on Well-Being: A strong project manager ensures the team’s mental and physical health is supported.

3. Reduce Busy Work & Tool Fatigue: Limit the number of tools used; it simplifies collaboration and keeps everyone focused.

4. Clear, Consistent Communication: Transparent expectations and frequent check-ins help prevent misunderstandings and bottlenecks.

   
   

Impact & Conclusion

Project Shape successfully highlighted how design thinking and strategic project management can address an environmental challenge at a community level. Removing 249 pounds of trash, partnering with a local nonprofit, and earning the Green Generation Award underscored the value of combining research, design, engineering, and outreachfor maximum positive impact.